Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and an ample living room with television and DVD player, plus complimentary morning
coffee.
Palmas del Mar
RESORT $$$
( 787-850-6000;
www.starwoodhotels.com/four
points; 170 Candelero Dr, Huma-
cao; r $155-290; )
Covering 2700 acres, this massive complex is signific-
antly larger than most of Puerto Rico's state forests and is a world unto itself. At its opulent
core lies a huge cluster of privately owned villas (ranging in price from $365,000 to $9 mil-
lion) and time-share units built around a marina, 6.5 miles of beach and two golf courses.
Of more interest to itinerant travelers are the casino and token hotel: the Four Points by
Sheraton, which has 107 amply furnished rooms and access to any of the resort's 20 res-
taurants.
Centro Vacacional Punta Santiago
VACATION CENTER $
( 787-852-1660;
www.parquesnacionalespr.com
;
Hwy 3 Km 72.4, Playa Humacao;
RV powered sites $25-40, cabins/villas $70/110; )
This spot has a balneario, 36
cold-water cabañas and 63 air-conditioned villas in a coconut grove on a pristine beach.
Each unit can accommodate up to six people, but you need to bring your own linen.
Eating
The easygoing strip of Playa Húcares is a cheapskate's heaven, and perfect for a bit of do-
it-yourself research. Comb the kiosks and holes-in-the-wall at the north end for great
em-
panadillas
(dough stuffed with meat or fish),
mojito criollo
(rum, mint and lemon) sauce
on fresh fish and tasty
surullitos
. Lovers of hot sauce should drop by the La Playa Liquor
Store mini-mart to buy one of the fiery
piques
crafted by a local Thai resident.
El Makito
SEAFOOD $$
(Hwy3,PlayaHúcares;mains$12-25)
The tanks say 'fresh Maine lobsters,' even though
these pincerless live specimens are the Caribbean variety, but no matter. From its second-
story perch on the
malecón
(pier), the 'little shark' has an excellent view of the water from
its shaded patio seats. The menu's long, with seafood pastas, the requisite laundry list of
mofongos,
and shrimp, conch and octopus done up in myriad configurations.
Restaurant Vinny
PUERTO RICAN $$
